Laparoscopic transabdominal approach partial intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer: surgical feasibility and intermediate-term outcome.

Background: Traditionally, conventional intersphincteric resection requires a combined abdominal and perineal approach and a handsewn coloanal anastomosis procedure, which is difficult to accomplish via the perineal approach. A completely abdominal approach partial intersphincteric resection (APISR) with laparoscopy can simplify the anastomosis procedure. This study evaluated the intermediate-term oncological and functional results of laparoscopic versus open APISR for low rectal cancer.

Methods: A total of 137 consecutive patients with low rectal cancer who underwent APISR from January 2006 to August 2013 were retrospectively evaluated. Patient groups were classified into as open surgery (OP, n = 48) group and laparoscopy (LAP, n = 89). The primary endpoint was 3-year disease-free survival and the Wexner score for anal function.

Results: The LAP group had longer operating time, less intraoperative blood loss, and shorter hospital stay after surgery compared with the OP group. Median follow-up was 32.3 months. The local recurrence rates were similar in the two groups (LAP 3.2% vs. OP 6.1%; P = 0.652). The combined 3-year disease-free survival rate was 83.2% in the LAP group and 83.8% in the OP group (P = 0.857). Wexner scores were similar in the two groups (LAP 2.9 ± 4.5 vs. OP 3.1 ± 5.0). In the LAP group, 89.7% of patients had good continence compared with 91.4% in the OP group (P = 0.311).

Conclusions: Laparoscopic APISR can be performed safely and offers similar intermediate-term oncological and functional outcome compared with the open procedure. The oncological adequacy requires long-term follow-up data.